Bonn, Germany and Ottawa, Canada
Today Inuit celebrate unity and solidarity. Forty years ago Eben Hopson, the visionary Inupiat leader from Utqiagvik (Barrow), Alaska called on Inuit from Alaska, Canada, Greenland and Chukotka to work together in support each other, to defend Inuit Rights, and to make certain no Inuit community is left behind as change and development increases in the Arctic. Speaking from climate talks in Bonn, ICC Chair Okalik Eegeesiak said, “as the world comes together to plan urgent positive action to mitigate human induced climate change and address its profound consequences we see a need and opportunity to bring Inuit knowledge and values forward.”
Inuit from the four countries are also gathered this week in Ottawa for the ICC Wildlife Management Summit, “It is time we move the discussion from food security to food sovereignty. What we need to achieve is international collaboration on wildlife management in the Arctic. This is in line with the spirit of Inuit Day” added James Stotts ICC Alaska President.
Delegates to the Summit will join Inuit from Ottawa at a community feast to celebrate Inuit Day through music, country food and Inuit games hosted by Tungasuvvingat Inuit.
ICC Greenland President, Hjalmar Dahl reaffirmed “Inuit rights have been clearly articulated in the United Nations Declaration on Indigenous Rights and we continue to work with our countries to implement UNDRIP.”
Wherever you are in the world please join Inuit today in celebrating Inuit cultural diversity and the contribution Inuit have made to the global community.
For more information contact:
Natasha Latreille
P: 613-563-2642
Email: nlatreille@inuitcircumpolar.com
Inuit Circumpolar Council – Office of the Chair
75 Albert Street, Suite 1001 ∙ Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1P 5E7 ∙ P: 613.563.2642 ∙ F: 613.565.3089 ∙ www.inuitcircumpolar.com